Indestructible Life

HEB 7:12-17

For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of Him,

"Thou art a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek." [Psa 110]

“Indestructible” - akatalutos = negative a plus kata (down) and luo (to loose) = indissoluble or endless.

The word literally means someone who cannot be loosed, and the kata (down) prefix intensifies it. This One could never be destroyed.

Yet they killed Him, or at least they thought they did. I doubt the authorities heard Him say, “Father, into Your hands I release My spirit,” or if they did happen to hear it, they wouldn’t have understood it. They would find out in three days that the grave couldn’t hold Him. All the enemies of God, including Satan and his dark kingdom pressed in upon the Lord and they couldn’t destroy Him. So then, He lives, and forever as our High Priest at the right hand of power.

A priest forever is He, and according to the order of Melchizedek, meaning that He is also the King. He was not born from the tribe of priests, Levi, but from Judah, the tribe of the royal kings of David, kings of Judah.

A priesthood established by an endless life. He can intercede forever. Yet He must rule, not be ruled, so He is from the tribe of Judah.

HEB 7:23-25

And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers, because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but He, on the other hand, because He abides forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

The victory is astounding. The tenderness in love maybe even more so. By faith in Christ we were saved, and being justified and cleansed by His blood, we draw near to God with confidence. As we walk with trepidation toward that throne of thrones, we pleasantly surprised to find our Lord there, and find Him already interceding for us, turning our trepidation into confidence. We know that we are in Him and Him in us. We know that He is our Priest and we are His priests. We know that He has made us justified and so we fear nothing while we are grateful for everything.

And what do we fear on earth when we are there? Nothing. His life is indestructible and so is ours, for He gave His life to us. He became a Man to do it. And when He accomplished it, death lost its power over us, along with the earth, its angry and vengeful and pathetic dark ruler, and every worldly thing.

JOH 1:4

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

JOH 1:12-13

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

1CO 15:54-58

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

Merry Christmas my fellow children of God.

Pastor Joe Sugrue